We’ve supported the discovery, development and launch of hundreds of antimicrobial agents.

IHMA provides a full suite of technical capabilities and domain expertise in all phases of antimicrobial drug development: drug discovery, clinical development, regulatory approval and commercialization.

Why IHMA?

IHMA is a premier provider of antimicrobial drug development studies. With laboratories in both the US and Europe, we partner with clients around the world in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic industries. We are a leading, independent laboratory specializing in surveillance studies and clinical trials, key milestones along the continuum from drug development to commercialization. We utilize state of the art technology, leading to first-class testing and data as well as sound economic frameworks. Our services can be customized to best align with our clients’ unique testing needs. This ensures successful drug development, commercialization, and post-marketing pathways.

Key Statistics

1,500 + Health Care Institutions Across More Than 80 Countries

Our relationships with hundreds of clinical sites across the world greatly facilitates our ability to conduct antimicrobial resistance surveillance so critical to a drug’s clinical development and commercialization and also supports our central laboratory microbiology services needed to conduct clinical trials.

100s of Thousands of Clinically Relevant Bacterial Isolates

Our Bacterial Repository is an expanding collection of clinically relevant pheno- and genotypically characterized bacterial pathogens. The organisms are catalogued according to a variety of key parameters and can be used to rapidly assemble custom collections to profile the anti-bacterial activities of any products in your discovery pipeline.

Over 1,000 Scientific Presentations and Publications

Our team of experienced clinical microbiologists and scientists have authored hundreds of abstracts, posters, slide presentations, peer-reviewed journal publications, and web accessible data and analysis that are so critical to educating the medical world about any new product.

Our fully integrated approach matters.

We provide a fully integrated programmatic approach to support all phases of drug development. This full spectrum of capabilities greatly facilitates client management efforts, provides access to globally available and fully harmonized facilities, and ensures one scientific team is providing access to in depth scientific expertise and ongoing project support.

We’re proud of our story

2017 marks our 25th anniversary. After spending two decades in the pharmaceutical industry in a variety of roles, Jack Johnson founded IHMA in 1992 to help pharmaceutical companies meet the challenges of the dynamic drug development landscape. Today, IHMA is one of the world’s leading providers of antimicrobial drug development support including emerging technology and services. Our team offers complete collaboration and flexibility with all of our clients around the world ensuring ongoing development success.

Global and US Leadership

Jack L. Johnson, M(ASCP), MS, MBA

President & Chief Executive Officer

Jack founded IHMA in 1992 after spending approximately 18 years in the pharmaceutical industry with Pfizer, Beecham Laboratories and G.D. Searle in various roles including, sales, marketing and management. During those years, he was responsible for the launch of cefoperazone, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, mupirocin and lomefloxacin. His responsibilities included both domestic and international assignments. Prior to joining the pharmaceutical industry, he spent a number of years in both hospital and private microbiology laboratories assuming various bench and management roles. Jack has degrees from Arizona State University and the University of Tennessee.

Daniel F. Sahm, PhD, D(ABMM), FAAM

VP Global Microbiology Services & Chief Scientific Officer

Dan has over 30 years of academic and industry experience focused on antimicrobial sciences and support of anti-infective research and product development. His experience spans the technical, clinical, regulatory, and business aspects required for all phases of product development. Dan has provided extensive expertise and has managed a wide array of laboratory services that have supported both small and large biopharmaceutical companies’ development of a wide variety of anti-infective products and strategies.

Dan received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center and was a Postdoctoral Resident in Medical and Public Health Laboratory Microbiology at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Subsequently he held faculty and microbiology laboratory director positions at the University of Chicago and Washington University Medical Centers. Most recently Dan was the Chief Scientific Officer for Eurofins Global Central Laboratory. Over his career Dan has presented and published over 500 scientific communications, and has provided editorial and other societal services for the American Society for Microbiology.

Karla Jordan-Elbrecht

Chief Financial Officer

Karla Jordan-Elbrecht has been a transformative executive leader with experience guiding startups and legacy companies through extraordinary profit growth, market expansion and brand development. Karla, a DePaul University graduate, was the founder and CEO of a luxury brand located in Illinois, where she created and managed all aspects of both a brick-and-mortar and online store. She steered the company to success, developing strong brand recognition that led to expansive national presence in premier luxury and lifestyle magazines. Since 1997, Karla has been a leader at IHMA, Inc. where she has risen through the ranks to be the company’s CFO, this being accomplished through her ability to reconcile company vision with execution. Karla has proven an efficient financial and operational leader. She has consistently saved hundreds of thousands annually through exceptional contract negotiation, key relationship management and implementation of vital enterprise-wide training & development programs. For years, she has developed strategies and navigated the financial challenges and opportunities that a global enterprise experiences. Karla is a skilled leader who brings excellence and energy to the table and is prepared to tackle and successfully address a wide range of corporate challenges.

Brian M. Johnson

Vice President, Operations

Brian has been with IHMA since 1994. He has been on the forefront of the design and implementation of many of the programs that IHMA offers and instrumental in IHMA’s growth and expansion. Currently, he is responsible for the day to day operations of the Clinical and Surveillance Project Management teams, Shipping and Logistics Department, Building Maintenance and Contracts Department. Brian has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois.

Samuel K. Bouchillon, MD

Vice President & Medical Director

Dr. Bouchillon received his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Tennessee Medical Units, Memphis. Dr. Bouchillon has received his board certifications in the United States in both Pediatrics and Anesthesiology.

Dr. Bouchillon is currently the Medical Director in the department of Medical Microbiology and Vice President of International Health Management Associates, Inc., a diversified contract research organization located in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Bouchillon has published over 300 papers and abstracts in the area of infectious disease, antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial surveillance. Current research interests include: molecular diagnostics, molecular basis of antimicrobial resistance, and the epidemiology of resistance in respiratory and hospital acquired pathogens.

Meredith M. Hackel, PhD, MPH

Laboratory Director

Meredith was awarded her BS (Natural Resources), MPH (Hospital Epidemiology), and PhD (Molecular Epidemiology) from the University of Michigan before beginning her career at University Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Meredith has published and presented numerous papers and posters in the areas of infectious disease, molecular bacteriology and laboratory diagnostics. Current research interests include molecular diagnostics, and the epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in community and hospital acquired pathogens.

In 1985, Legionella hackeliae was named after Meredith who had isolated the organism during her work at University Hospital.

After working for over 15 years in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at University Hospital, as well as appointments in Washington state and Advocate Health Care Systems, she joined IHMA in 2002 as a Technical Specialist, moving to her present position as Laboratory Director and Laboratory Manager in 2006.

Mark G. Wise, PhD

Director of Molecular Services

Mark received his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia with a focus on molecular microbial ecology. He comes to IHMA with a strong background in the diagnostics industry, previously holding various scientific positions at the in vitro diagnostics manufacturer, bioMérieux. Mark has authored several peer-reviewed publications on diverse topics, including microbial population genetics and bacterial strain typing.

Darcie Carpenter, MS, PhD, CIC

Director Global Business Development

Darcie joined IHMA in 2018 and has over 20 years clinical and industry experience focused on antimicrobial susceptibility and IVD clinical trials. She has experience with technical, clinical, clinical trials, regulatory and business development. Darcie holds a M.S. & Ph.D. University of Washington – Pathobiology as well as certifications in Infection Control.

Previously work experience includes; 13 years with Beckman Coulter Microbiology – MicroScan product line (R&D and Clinical Trials), Anaerobe Systems (bacterial media manufacture) and Nevada Department of Public Health. Clinical work experience includes a total of six years with the following medical facilities: VA Medical Center Palo Alto, Stanford Medical Center and Barton Health.

Darcie is an active participant in Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), holding three positions: Chair of the Anaerobe Working Group, Liaison for Text and Tables Working Group and a member of the Bacterial Methods Working Group. She has published book chapters and several peer reviewed articles and abstracts. Darcie holds a M.S. & Ph.D. University of Washington, School of Public Heath – Pathobiology as well as certifications in Infection Control.

Krystyna M. Kazmierczak, PhD

Senior Scientist

Krystyna obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Chicago. She held research positions at Eli Lilly, Indiana University and the University of Illinois before joining IHMA. She served as the Director of Molecular Services at IHMA from November 2013-September 2017 before moving to her present position as Senior Scientist, Scientific Affairs. Her responsibilities include data review, data analysis and scientific writing.

Krystyna’s research interests have included the molecular biology and biochemistry of bacteriophage RNA polymerases, physiology and pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacterial stress responses to treatment with antibiotics that disrupt protein or cell wall biosynthesis, and regulation of outer membrane proteins. Her current focus is on the mechanisms and epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance.

Randy A. Burk, MBA

Chief Information Officer

Randy has had over 25 years experience in the Information Systems field. He brings experience from Fortune 500 companies including General Motors, Baxter Healthcare, Brunswick Corporation and Wickes Lumber Company. He obtained a Master’s of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. His undergraduate work was in the Management of Computer Systems. He is a published author in networking trade journals. He specializes in data gathering, warehousing and analysis. He is the primary designer of the Surveillance Data Link Network, which combines the surveillance data from many disparate data sources into a single repository of reportable information.

Daryl J. Hoban, PhD, FCCM, D(ABMM), F(AAM)

Senior Consultant, Clinical Microbiology Sciences

Dr. Hoban received his undergraduate and graduate degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Microbiology from the University of Manitoba and received his board certification in both Canada and the United States in Medical Microbiology and Public Health following a clinical microbiology fellowship. In 2006, he was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology.

He is currently the Director of Clinical and Laboratory Services for International Health Management Associates Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, as well as a Professor in the department of Medical Microbiology, in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba and a Clinical Microbiologist at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Canada.

Dr. Hoban has published over 600 papers and abstracts in the area of infectious disease, antimicrobial resistance and laboratory diagnostics. Current research interests include: molecular diagnostics, molecular basis of antimicrobial resistance, and the epidemiology of resistance in respiratory and hospital acquired pathogens.

In 2007 Dr. Hoban was awarded the ‘Distinguished Microbiologist Award’, at the 2007 CACMID/AMMI (Canadian Association of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases/Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases) Conference in Vancouver.

Daryl has both a National and International reputation as a research leader in the area of Antibiotic resistant organisms (AROs). He has numerous publications, book chapters and invited presentations in this field.

Daryl is a recognized role model in clinical microbiology and is involved in the Clinical Microbiologist training program in Winnipeg through the University of Manitoba’s Department of Medical Microbiology. He is also the Chair of the Fellow of the Canadian College of Microbiology (FCCM) board exam process that provides certification for Clinical Microbiologists in Canada.

Europe Leadership

Stephen Hawser, PhD

CEO, IHMA Europe Sàrl

Stephen has 25 years of anti-infective industrial experience and is CEO of IHMA Europe Sàrl since 2009. IHMA Europe has state-of-the-art laboratories and is based in Monthey, Switzerland. Prior to joining IHMA, Stephen held several key positions in the pharmaceutical industry spanning around 15 years with focus in antibacterial and antifungal research and development. His industry experience has come with his affiliations with Arpida (Switzerland), GlaxoWellcome (Italy), Hoechst Marion Roussel (France) and Marion Merrell Dow (Italy) and secondments to Hoechst (Frankfurt, Germany and Mumbai, India) and to University Hospitals / CWRU (Cleveland, OH, USA)

Prior to joining IHMA, Stephen earned his BSc (hons) in Microbiology (University of Aberdeen), PhD in biochemical toxicology (University of Dundee) and his post-doctorate on fungal catheter biofilms at the University of Glasgow. Stephen has regularly published at scientific conferences (>650 posters), in international peer-reviewed journals (>90 articles) and is co-inventor of a number of patents. In addition he is a reviewer for multiple journals and has actively participated at CLSI meetings since more than 15 years.

Ian Morrissey, MBA, PhD, FRSM

Since 1987, Ian has been actively engaged with the pharmaceutical industry to support the development of new antimicrobials, particularly pre-clinical and surveillance studies.

Ian obtained his Ph.D. from the School of Pharmacy, University of London (UK) in 1990 and Executive MBA from Imperial College Management School, University of London (UK) in 2001. Between 1990 and 1995, he held Research Fellowships at the School of Pharmacy, at Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co Ltd. (Japan) and at the University of East London (UK). After this Ian was a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire (UK) until 1998 when he joined GR Micro Ltd.

Ian was CEO at GR Micro Ltd. in London when the company was acquired by Quotient Bioresearch Ltd. in 2007 and continued as Director of Microbiology at Quotient until April 2012.

Ian is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and an enthusiastic supporter of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC). He is a former General Secretary of the BSAC and is currently Chairman of the BSAC Grants Committee. Ian is also a member of the BSAC Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Working Party and a member of BSAC Standing Committee on Antibacterial Drug Discovery and Development. He represents the BSAC on the Steering Committee for UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations. Ian is also an advisor to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) veterinary antimicrobial susceptibility standards subcommittee and is the sole or co-author of more than 200 publications/presentations on antimicrobial action and resistance.

India Leadership

Tarun Mathur, MSc, PhD

CEO, IHMA India

Dr. Tarun Mathur has over 24 years of industry experience focused on new drug discovery, research and quality management. Before joining IHMA, Tarun’s experience spanned 16 years at Daiichi Sankyo and Ranbaxy Research Laboratories Ltd. where he initiated and led several research projects focused on antibacterial research and development. He also successfully oversaw the transition of compounds from early discovery to the clinical stage. More recently Tarun led the quality microbiology team at Sun Pharmaceuticals during which time major regulatory audits by the US FDA, MHRA, UKRAINE and WHO GMP were successfully completed.

Tarun holds an M.Sc. in Microbiology (Jiwaji University, Gwalior) and a Ph.D. in Microbiology (Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi). Tarun has more than 100 publications in international peer-reviewed journals, several presentations and a patent for novel antibacterial agents for treating and/or preventing infectious diseases.